Play pen



Oct. 27, 1936. A. w. SWANSON f 2,059,058

PLAY PEN Filed May 2, 1936 2' 'shee t's sheet 1 .9 .zggi.

. we] M25072 Oct. 27, 1936.

A. w. SWANSON ,059,058

PLAY PEN 7 Filed May 2, 1936 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 W17 ?',wm 5 M Z1 1 20 Patented Oct. 27, 1936 PATENT OFFICE 2,059,053 PLAY PEN Axel W. Swanson, Chicago, Ill., as'signor to Holm-. quist-Swanson Company, a corporation of Illinois Application May 2, 1936, Serial No. 77,577

2 Claims.

This invention relates particularly to play pens and more particularly to a portable pen which may be folded up readily so as to occupy but a small amount of space when not in use.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved pen having folded side walls which'may be locked in the open position by means of a simple latch which is easy to operate but cannot be readily opened by a child.

A further object of the invention is to provide a play pen with a floor which is disposed somewhat above the floor of the room by means of rigidly connected central legs and is also supported by a tongue and socket connection with the side walls of the pen.

The invention is illustrated in a preferred embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in which- Fig. 1 is a plan view of a pen embodying the invention; Fig. 2 is a plan view showing the device in its partially folded position; Fig. 3, a

side elevational view of the same; Fig. 4, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line 5 of Fig. 3; Fig. 6, a detailed sectional view taken as indicated at line 6 of Fig. 1; Fig, 7, a broken sectional view showing the floor support taken as indicated at line I of Fig. 1; and Fig. 8, a broken sectional view taken as indicated at line B of Fig. 2.

In the embodiment illustrated, A designates rigid side walls to which are pivotally connected, at each end, jointed side walls A; B, a pair of floor sections provided with legs B; and C, latching means for holding the jointed sections A in extended position.

The side walls A are of conventional construction, having posts 9 provided with upper and lower cross bars I0 between which may be fitted suitable rungs H. Tl'ie jointed side walls A are similar in construction to the side walls described above, but are pivotally connected at their central portion by means of hinges l2. These jointed sections are pivotally connected to the side walls A by means of corner hinges l3, see Fig. 4. The centers of the hinges are so placed as to permit the floor sections B to be snugly embraced by the sectionsA when the device is in collapsed position.

The floor sections B are hinged to the lower portions of the side walls A by means of hinges H. In order to keep the sections well above the floor and protect the occupant from floor drafts, the slats [5 are nailed to cross bars l5 which in turn, are supported at the central portion of the pen by means of the legs B. These legs are fixed to the cross bars of one section by means of a pair of L-shaped brackets H which are spaced apart so as to provide a socket to receive the ends of the cross bars of the oppo- 5 site section, as indicated in Fig. 6. The central cross bars are provided at their outer ends with dowel pins l8 which are adapted to swing down into sockets l9 provided in the lower cross bars ll) of the side walls A. Thus, it will be understood, that each floor section is supported at six different points.

The latching member C is disposed on the inside of the jointed side walls A and comprises a leaf spring 2|]. which may be rigidly connected 15 to one of the sections by'means of rivets 2| which also serve to hold the upper hinges l2 in position. The free end of the leaf spring is provided with a perforation 22 which is adapted to snap over a stud 23 provided on the inner end of the rivet or fastener 24. A push button 25 is provided with a shank 26 which extends through one leg of the hinges l2 and through the wall sectionA' into contact with the spring 20. A portion of the opening in the section A is counterbored, as indicated at 21, to permit limited movement of the collar 28 therein.

As shown in Fig. 8, the upper ends of the floor sections B are provided with a leather strap. 29 by which the section may be fastened to one of the rungs ll while the device is being folded up. i

As will be readily understood, when it is desired to fold up the device, the floor sections '3 are turned upwardly and latched, as indicated in Fig. 8. The operator may then reach out and simultaneously depress both of the push buttons 25 which will cause the. latches 20 to be released from the studs 23 and the sections A may then be swung inwardly as shown in Fig. 2. From this position, the side walls A may be drawn closely together and the play pen will. be collapsed so as'to occupy a very small amount of space and be readily portable. In'the open position illustrated in Fig. 1 the upper sections of the jointed walls A are held in extended position by'the locks C and the lower portions are held extended by the'fioor sections B.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations shouldbe understood therefrom, but the appended claims should be construed as broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art.

I claim: 5"

-a plane parallel tosaidssside walls, said sections being provided 'withesupporting cross .bars, and

one of saidse'ctions having legs rigidly mounted on its crossbars by means of L=shaped brackets spaced toprovide-notchesrto receive the. cross bars of the otherfloor section.

2. A portable playpen. comprising: a pair of rigid opposed sidewalls; a, pair of centrally jointeed sidewalls connecting adjacent ends of the first mentioned sidewalls bymeans of end hinges, said central joints being arranged so as to swing .inwardlyinto the enclosure; latches forholdin the upper portion-of the jointed walls in extended position; a pair of floor sections hinged to said rigid side walls sons to swing upwardly into a plane parallel to said side walls;.and cross vbars foreach of said sections, thecross bars of .one section each carrying a central leg provided "with. a: socket to receive the end of the cross bar of the opposite section, and a cross bar on each sectionprovided with an. extension adapted to swing down into asupporting socket provided in the adjacent side wall.

AXEL W. SWANSON. 

